7 Best Places to Visit in India

India spans desert palaces, Himalayan monasteries, tropical backwaters, and one of the world's most photographed monuments — often within a single itinerary. Here are seven places that show why it rewards more time than most travelers give it.

1. Taj Mahal, Agra

A white marble mausoleum commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and arriving at sunrise (when it first opens) is the classic way to see it before the crowds and heat build up. The surrounding Agra Fort, another UNESCO site, is worth pairing with the visit.

2. Jaipur

Rajasthan's capital, nicknamed the "Pink City" for the terracotta-pink wash applied to its old city buildings in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales. Highlights include Amber Fort, a hilltop fortress-palace overlooking Maota Lake, and Hawa Mahal, the ornate five-story "Palace of Winds" with its honeycomb facade of small windows. Jaipur is also the most-visited corner of India's Golden Triangle tourist circuit.

3. Varanasi

One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and the holiest city in Hinduism, sitting on the banks of the Ganges River. Its ghats — stone steps leading down to the water — are the setting for daily religious rituals, cremations, and the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony. A sunrise boat ride along the river is the classic way to take in the ghats.

4. Kerala Backwaters

A network of interconnected canals, rivers, and lakes running along India's southwestern coast, traditionally navigated by converted rice-barge houseboats. Alleppey (Alappuzha) is the main hub for multi-day houseboat trips through palm-lined waterways and small riverside villages. It's a slower, quieter side of India compared to the north's monuments and crowds.

5. Goa

A former Portuguese colony on India's west coast, held until 1961, whose beaches, colonial architecture, and church heritage (including the UNESCO-listed Basilica of Bom Jesus) still set it apart from the rest of the country. North Goa's beaches lean toward nightlife, while the south is quieter. It's also one of the easiest parts of India for first-time visitors to ease into.

6. Ladakh

A high-altitude Himalayan region in northern India, often called "Little Tibet" for its Buddhist monasteries and stark mountain-desert landscape. Leh, its main town, sits above 3,500 meters and serves as the base for visiting monasteries like Thiksey and Hemis and for high-altitude passes such as Khardung La. The region is only accessible by road for part of the year due to snow.

7. Mumbai

India's financial capital and largest city, where the Gateway of India — an arch built in 1924 to commemorate King George V and Queen Mary's visit — sits on the waterfront facing the Arabian Sea, right next to the historic Taj Mahal Palace hotel. Mumbai's mix of colonial-era architecture, Bollywood film industry, and street food scene makes it a different kind of India than its monuments and mountains.

Staying connected while you travel

India has extensive 4G coverage across its major cities and most tourist routes, though connectivity can be patchier in remote parts of Ladakh and rural Kerala, so it's worth checking coverage for any far-flung legs of your route in advance.

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